The Case of Atul Subhash is Just One of Many: PIL Filed in Supreme Court Regarding 'False' Dowry Allegations
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New Delhi, Dec 13 (NationPress) In response to the tragic suicide of an automobile executive from Uttar Pradesh in Bengaluru, who allegedly faced a demand of Rs 3 crore for a divorce settlement along with accusations against a sitting judge, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been lodged with the Supreme Court. This plea seeks to provide protection for the “severe circumstances and plight” of married men who are entangled in “false” dowry and domestic violence allegations.
The petition argues that the Dowry Prohibition Act and Section 498A of IPC were designed to safeguard married women from dowry demands and harassment; however, in India, these laws have often been misused as tools to settle unwarranted disputes and to oppress the husband’s family when conflicts arise between spouses.
There have been numerous instances of “false implication” of men in dowry cases, leading to tragic outcomes and raising significant concerns about our justice and criminal investigation systems.
The petition further states that these false accusations against married men undermine the genuine incidents of women's suffering, casting doubt on their legitimacy. “This is not merely about one Atul Subhash; there are countless men who have taken their own lives due to the overwhelming burden of multiple cases brought against them by their wives. The rampant misuse of dowry laws has completely undermined their original intent,” the petition, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, asserts.
Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old AI engineer, tragically ended his life in his Marathahalli apartment, leaving behind a poignant 90-minute video and a 40-page death note detailing the relentless harassment he faced from his wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family.
This incident has ignited widespread outrage and discussion throughout the nation concerning men's rights and the legal system's treatment of them in cases related to divorce and child custody.
The PIL calls for the establishment of an expert committee comprising retired judges, lawyers, and distinguished legal scholars, headed by a former Supreme Court judge, to examine and reform the current dowry and domestic violence laws while recommending measures to prevent their misuse.
Additionally, it requests that alongside every marriage registration application, a list of gifts, articles, and money exchanged during the marriage be submitted with an affidavit, and that this record should be included with the marriage registration certificate.
